No time for a blog post today. We are getting ready to go camping tomorrow morning. That means I have to do five days of work in three, and then figure out how to fit most of our belongings into the back of the car. It isn’t like Father’s & Son’s where it takes 15 minutes to pack. Thankfully, I inherited an incredibly effective packing gene from my father, so I’m not too worried. Not to sound sexist, but I think packing is somehow linked to the “Y’ chromosome.
I enjoy the outdoors. I love the cool, pine-scented air. I enjoy it more when I don’t need to dig, or use, a latrine.
I love those chance encounters with wildlife that you sometimes experience in the mountains – except skunks. But, to be fair, I wonder what the animals think when they hear me snore. I know what my family thinks. My EC is packing earplugs for all.
I have a love hate/relationship with the ease with which sound travels through tent walls. You can hear everything. Which is fun when I am eavesdropping, but not so fun when I am talking. Any guy who has been camping with Boy Scouts knows that listening to the conversations coursing through the night air makes for endless entertainment as you try to fall asleep.
Some people hate to sleep in tents. Me, I sleep like a baby – I wake up every two hours, crying. ba-da-bum. Some people make the definitive statement “I won’t sleep in a tent.” For me, it’a more “can’t” than “won’t”.
But there are people who adamantly refuse to go camping. I don’t get it. Especially when one person’s “stance” takes away the experience for a whole family. I mean can’t you suck it up for a couple of days?
Other than staring at the ocean, I know of no better way to “disconnect” than being in a beautiful forest, admiring God’s handiwork, and staring mindlessly into a crackling fire. And by disconnect, I mean literally as well as figuratively. A few days without tv, video games, phones, or computers is good for the soul as well.
So wish me luck. I’ll be back with a post on Sunday – full of peace, and calm and inspiration from spending three days communing with God and nature. At least I hope that’s what I come back with – I would much prefer that to ticks or poison ivy.
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We went camping on our honeymoon as well. Learned an unfortunate lesson: don’t bury each other in the sand. Nuff said. But we had a great time, and we continue to enjoy camping as a family.
That song brings back memories as well. We have those lovely cds, and we always brought them along on our trips. My children are now singing that song at the top of their lungs. Thanks.
We have in our garage, the tent from antiquity times. Many a fond memory associated with that relic. One memory involves the 2001 blood spots on the walls, from 2001 killed mosquitoes. And if you have trouble sleeping in a tent at 50, just wait until you’re 70 and the bones scream NOOOOO! Doesn’t it make you marvel at Lehi and Sariah?
AuntSue
Oh camping in fun My grandmother went camping on her honeymoon to Yellowstone – very rough camping. She would take all the cousins up to The Spruces campground for 2 or 3 weeks every summer. The aunts would come with all the kids and babies, and the dads would come up on the weekend. Loads of fun, including the board covered bucket next to the tent at night. Yep, no stumbling around looking for the outhouse at night.
But the packing gene, yep it is inherited. My dad has it, I have it, my daughter has it, my husband? Not a bit of it.
I just have to point out that I have two sisters who do a better job loading the car than my father any day of the week. So there!
But on a comPLETEly sexist note, my favorite thing about camping is that it is all officially man’s work (at least, that’s how it works in our household). Even though I don’t sleep great, it’s my one chance to put my feet up and let my husband worry about cooking, cleaning, setting up, packing, and everything else. What a vacation! I just have to do all the laundry when we get home!
No time for a blog post?
I highly recommend sleeping pills when camping. Makes for a much less grumpy daddy.
I too love to camp and hate (cant) sleep in a tent. I suck it up but I have formulated a plan for this family which will be achieved within the next two years. Two Words.
Travel.
Trailer.
Can’t wait!!
Try camping up north. It never gets dark. Sleeping is impossible, especially for kids and the pesky loud seagulls!
The Pacheco’s love to camp. Odd,because normally, those of hispanic descent are not campers. 😀 We live at the base of a beautiful mountain range, and our favorite camping spot is twenty minutes straight up from our house. Seriously. We always stop at the lookout, pull out the binocs and look at our backyard. LOL. Hope you guys have a great time and don’t forget the OFF.